Earth, Moon, and Sun.by: Keenan Garceau

Earth in space

~How does the Earth move in space?Earth moves through space in two major ways: rotation and revolution. Rotation is the spinning of earth on its axis. Revolution is the movement of one object around another. Earth Rotates on its axis and Revolves around the sun.~What causes the cycle of the seasons on Earth?Earth has seasons because its axis is tilted as it revolves around the sun. If Earth's axis were straight up and down then Earth's temperature would stay constant all year long.

Gravity and Motion

~What determines the strength of the force of gravity between two objects?The strength of the force of gravity between two objects depends on two factors: the masses of the objects and the distance between them. Mass is the amount of matter in and object and weight is the force of gravity on an object. ~What two factors combine to keep the moon and Earth in orbit?Inertia and Gravity combine to keep the Earth in orbit around the sun and the moon in orbit around the Earth.

Phases Eclipses and Tides

What Causes the Phases of the Moon?The changing relative position of the moon, Earth, and sun, causes the phases of the moon.What are solar and lunar eclipses?When the moon's shadow hits Earth or Earth's shadow hits the moon, a solar or lunar eclipse occurs.What causes the tides?Tides are caused mainly by differences in how much the moon's gravity pulls on different parts of the Earth.

Earth's Moon

What features are found on the moon's surface?Features on the moon's surface include maria, craters, and highlands.What are some characteristics of the moon?The moon is dry and airless. Compared to Earth, the moon is small and has large variations in its surface temperature. How did the moon form?Scientists theorize that a planet-sized object collided with Earth to form the moon.